9 6 
Dicotyledons with Incomplete Flowers — Urticacece. 
Flowers of Common Nettle ( TJrtica dioica) usually dioecious, of Lesser Nettle (U. urens) monoecious, of Wall 
Pellitory (Pccrietaria officinalis) staminate, pistillate and hermaphrodite. 
PERIANTH 4-leaved ; or in the pistillate flower of Pellitory, gamophyllous and flask-shaped. 
Stamens incurved in bud, the filaments suddenly and elastically becoming recurved when the pollen is 
matured. 
Fruit a i-seeded nut. 
USES, &c.—Urticacese are generally characterised by a tenacious bark, which in some Asiatic species is used 
as cordage. The fibre of China-grass (Boehmeria nivea) is especially fine in texture, and is imported for textile 
purposes. Common Nettle, and some tropical species similarly clothed with stinging hairs, are applied externally as 
counter-irritants. The herbage of Nettle is occasionally cooked as a rustic substitute for Spinach. 
Natural Order 
CANNABINACET:. Tab. 80. 
Diagnosis. —Erect or twining herbs with watery juice. Flowers dioecious. 
Stamens 5, opposite to the segments of the perianth. Ovary free, 1-celled, 
with 1 pendulous ovule. Seed exalbuminous, with a curved or spiral 
embryo. 
Distribution.— A very small Natural Order, or rather Tribe, of Urticaceae, including but two 
species of distinct genera, widely spread through the North Temperate zone, where they are in general 
cultivation. 
One British Genus ; Species, 1. 
